Llamas are relatives of the camel, and one of two members of the camelid family found exclusively in South America. They have been domesticated for around 5,000 years: there is no wild form, while their closest living relation is the wild guanaco. Despite such a long history of domestication, llamas have never developed into a variety of breeds, but there are two distinct types: the ccara (most often seen in the UK) and the more heavily woolled tampuli. Both come in a range of sizes and a variety of colours, include solid white, black and piebald. Before the Spanish conquest, the llama, together with the alpaca, were the only domesticated ungulates on the continent, and they were bred not only for their meat, wool and hides, but also as beasts…
